2000 Mighty Ducks Draft Preview

By Martin Dittman

June 20th, 2000

The more things change, the more they stay the same. That certainly provestrue for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Like in past drafts, the Ducks arelooking for hard working forwards who can put up big numbers. That’s easiersaid than done. The Ducks still lack pure scorers in their system and moreimportantly, lack character players with strong skills.

The obvious need is for a power forward. Jay Legault is yet to blossom inthe AHL and other potential power forward candidates have beendisappointments. Mike Leclerc had an inconsistent first NHL year and PeterLeboutillier and Jeremy Stevenson might have worn out their welcomes. Theforwards who do score for the Ducks have been criticized for a lack of hardwork. Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne are fine scorers but they aren’t thetype to battle in the corners or lead by example.

The Ducks have had relatively successful drafts the last few years. Theyhave taken players out of relative obscurity and found legitimate prospects.Others have become potential steals like that of college standout JordanLeopold. The Ducks are expected to focus on a group of European forwardsthis draft.

POTENTIAL FORWARD CHOICES:

Martin Samuelsson –

Samuelsson would fit in perfectly with the Ducks. The Ducks have a fetishfor Swedish players and Samuelsson is one of the best in the draft. Hisspeed is suited perfectly for the Ducks but more importantly, he plays atough game. Unlike most European players, Samuelsson doesn’t mind battlingin the corners – the perfect solution for the Ducks. Unfortunately, thereare questions about Samuelsson’s ability and a shoulder injury has hamperedhim in the last season but don’t count out the Ducks taking a look at him.

Nikita Alexeev –

Alexeev has fantastic skill and a gigantic frame. At 6’5, 215, he would bea welcome addition to a system made up of mainly smaller players. Anotherbonus is his blazing speed. Like Samuelsson, a fleet footed player fits inperfectly with the smooth skating Ducks. Alexeev has characteristics ofprospect Maxim Balmochnkyh. Like Balmo, Alexeev is considered anunderachiever. The biggest knock against Alexeev is how he plays. Evenwith his huge body, he rarely takes advantage of it.

Pavel Vorobiev –

Vorobiev has plenty of upside but like the others, people question hisability. He plays a feisty game which has garnered him much attention. Addto that, his great puck ability and you have a complete player or do you?Vorobiev has been knocked by many who see him as overrated but most scoutsbelieve he could be a steal if he falls out of the top 10.

Vaclav Nedorost –

Nedorost has heart and character which makes him an obvious choice for theDucks. But he’s a center and the Ducks have a surplus at that position.Granted, they aren’t as skilled, but the Ducks need wingers badly. Scoutsbelieve Nedorost is more defensive than offensive which may also turn theDucks off from him.

Alexei Smirnov –

Smirnov is one of the draft’s true wild cards but will probably be gone bythe time the Ducks pick. He has all the size, skill and talent the Ducksare looking for but unless they trade up, there’s a good chance he’llalready be drafted which is a shame. For a team that’s desperate for powerforward, Smirnov is worth the risk.

Alexander Frolov –

Frolov should draw some attention from the Ducks. Like the others, he hasgood size and plays a complete game. A bonus is he’s looked at as a surebet to be an NHLer. He has been a consistent scorer in Europe unlike otherswho are often cast as enigmas. Expect the Ducks to strongly consider Frolovand depending on he’s available, he may be their choice.

There are plenty of other potential choices as well but size will be on thewish list. Chances are if you do not play a gritty game, the Ducks will passand pick someone else. And don’t count out the Ducks making a deal to moveup in the draft or to improve the team right away like last year’s OlegTverdosky trade. Most people belive the Ducks covet some of the top 10prospects including Scott Hartnell. If the right deal comes along, PierreGauthier may jump at it.

THE DEFENSE RESTS

Unlike past years, defense will probably be a second priority for the Ducks.The Ducks are deepest at defense and lack scoring more than defensive play.The Ducks will probably pass on a defenseman in the first round althoughBrooks Orpik and Ilya Nikulin will probably grab their attention. Orpik’stough play will garner attention from plenty of teams but Orpik willprobably be gone by the time the Ducks get up to the stage. Nikulin hasgreat size but is considered a high risk pick. A longshot choice could behard nosed Anton Volchenkov. Expect the Ducks to wait until the laterrounds to choose any defenseman and focus on their scoring problems early.

GOALTENDING

Before the Ducks traded for Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goaltending was high onthe list of draft possibilities. But the combination of Giguere and GreggNaumenko solidifies the position for years to come. While Gauthier oftenregrets giving up draft picks, relinquishing a second round pick for Giguerewas a smart move. The Ducks couldn’t have gotten anything better with thepick and Giguere is better than goalie who would’ve been available to theDucks.

PAST DRAFTS

The Ducks have several tendencies. They are not afraid to draft Europeanplayers and have stocked the organization with plenty. They range fromEuropean veterans like Niclas Havelid, Pelle Prestberg and Petr Tenkrat toEuropean developmental players like Alexandr Chagodayev and AndreasAndersson. You can expect the Ducks to go both routes again, taking achance on little known players like Havelid was. Havelid ended up as one ofthe more consistent Ducks during the season.

The Ducks also draft plenty of NCAA Hockey players. Jordan Leopold, MatSnesrud and Brian Gornick are some of the more recent ones but of that groupLeopold is the only legitimate prospect. It’s a pretty good bet the Duckswill use later rounds to choose college players once again.

THE BEST AVAILABLE

The Ducks also have a belief to take the best player available but somedrafts tell otherwise. The choice of Vitaly Vishnevski was controversialbecause to most people, Vishnevski wasn’t the best left. But on the Duckslist he was – and it is paying off in big dividends today.

The Ducks also say their goal is to not focus on a particular position butthe forward position is probably too deep to pass by for a higher rateddefenseman. Either way, Anaheim’s choice in the 2000 draft should stir upthe pot between Duck fans.